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The EU AI Act enters its most critical enforcement phase on August 2, 2026, when the AI Office gains full binding powers under Regulation 2024/1689 to enforce high-risk AI system obligations (Articles 6-49). This deadline activates the heaviest compliance obligations including risk management systems (Art. 9), data governance (Art. 10), technical documentation (Art. 11), record-keeping (Art. 12), transparency (Art. 13), human oversight (Art. 14), and accuracy, robustness, and cybersecurity requirements (Art. 15). Penalties for non-compliance can reach EUR 15 million or 3% of global annual turnover, whichever is higher. GPAI model provider obligations have been enforceable since August 2, 2025, but the August 2, 2026 date marks the transition from transitional expectations to active enforcement, with the AI Office able to issue binding information requests to GPAI providers. The European Commission's Digital Omnibus proposal could extend the deadline to December 2, 2027 for Annex III standalone systems, but the proposal has not been adopted and trilogue negotiations have not concluded, making August 2, 2026 the current legally enforceable deadline. Reg Intel reported the core details. Digital Applied noted additional context. The Man Wire added corroborating details.